Cranberry variety named &#39;njs98-23&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new cranberry variety distinguished by significantly higher yields, higher anthocyanin (red pigment) content, and higher stolon vigor as compared to the currently cultivated commercial varieties.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

This invention was made in part with United States Government supportawarded by the U. S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative StateResearch, Education and Extension Service, under grant SRG88-34155-3491.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES OF THE PLANT CLAIMED

Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait.

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘NJS98-23’

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a new and distinctive Americancranberry variety having a combination of traits including significantlyhigher yields, higher anthocyanin (red pigment) content, and higherstolon vigor as compared to the currently cultivated commercialvarieties. The new variety, ‘NJS98-23’, resulted from crossing thevariety ‘Stevens’ (unpatented) as the seed parent, with the variety ‘BenLear’ (unpatented) as the pollen parent. The plant was originallyselected from over 1,500 seedlings growing in test plots in Chatsworth,N.J. and Portage County, Wis.

The American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait.) is a temperate,woody perennial plant species native to North America. The United Statesis the largest producer, with Wisconsin and Massachusetts representingthe majority of cranberry acreage and production, followed by NewJersey, Oregon and Washington. Currently grown cranberry varietiesinclude selections from native populations, and first generationhybrids. Significant acreage is still devoted to varieties that wereselected from native cranberry populations from as far back as 1850,including ‘Ben Lear’ (unpatented), ‘Early Black’ (unpatented), ‘Howes’(unpatented), ‘Lemunyon’ (unpatented), ‘McFarlin’ (unpatented), and‘Searles’ (unpatented). The hybrid varieties were developed from onecycle of breeding and selection that was conducted by the United StatesDepartment of Agriculture, in cooperation with state AgriculturalExperiment Stations in the 1940's. This breeding program released aseries of unpatented varieties in the 1950's including the most widelygrown cultivar ‘Stevens’ (unpatented), which was selected from testplots in Pemberton, New Jersey.

Varieties having high anthocyanin production along with consistentlyhigh productivity have become essential for commercial success incranberry production. Fruit crop productivity is a function of inherentdifferences among varieties for traits such as stolon vigor, uprightdensity, inflorescence bud production, fruit set, and fruit size.Varieties with high stolon vigor will establish more rapidly and reducethe number of years required to achieve maximal production. However,after bed establishment, varieties must transition to optimal sexualreproduction mode, and optimal upright density, to achieve high cropproduction. Cranberry inflorescence bud primordia are set on uprightsduring the completion of the fruit development period and overwinter ina dormant state, before resuming growth the subsequent spring. Thus, thecrop load of a given year, may impact the subsequent year's crop,contributing to the pronounced biennial bearing habit common to manyvarieties. Productivity is also subject to environmental effects, suchas heat and light intensity stresses, cold (frost) stress, water stress(drought and excess), disease, insects, and certain pesticides.

TAcy, fruit anthocyanin content, is currently a fruit quality componentof processed cranberries, having a minimum acceptable value, as well aspremiums for fruit with higher TAcy values. Upon delivery to theprocessing plant, cranberries from a given bed are measured for TAcycontent. TAcy is measured in terms of mg of anthocyanin per 100 g fruitusing a standard spectrophotometric (520 nm) method. Earlier ripeningvarieties, which typically have higher TAcy, allow for earlierharvesting of a crop. Anthocyanin synthesis occurs predominately in thefruit epidermis, resulting in a generally negative correlation betweenfruit size and TAcy. The Rutgers University cranberry breeding programquantitatively measured TAcy along with mean fruit size, and selectedonly those progeny that were above the regression line representing themean relationship between fruit size and TAcy.

New Jersey uniquely offers an ideal environment for cranberry breedingbecause of the climate, soils and water. Of all the cranberry productionareas in North America, New Jersey conditions subject the cranberry tothe highest disease pressure and heat stress. The plant must toleratehigh heat stress and vegetative diseases during the growing season. Over15 pathogens are known to incite cranberry fruit rot in New Jersey, andthe fruit is also subject to heat scald and physiological breakdown.Thus, selection under New Jersey conditions offers the best opportunityto identify varieties with higher resistance to disease, scald, and heatstress.

The Rutgers University cranberry breeding program, in Chatsworth, N.J.,was initiated in 1985 to take advantage of this unique selectionpressure. The program's methods were designed to duplicate, as much aspossible, the environment of a commercial bed. Thus, breeding plots of1.5×1.5 m were established with multiple plants and allowed to fill into form a dense canopy. Two to four years after planting, yield of agiven plot was evaluated over a four year minimum to provide forbiennial bearing assessment. Traits being evaluated in RutgersUniversity's cranberry breeding program include yield, fruit rotsusceptibility/resistance, scald, stolon and upright vigor, totalanthocyanin content (TAcy), soluble solids (Brix), and titratableacidity.

The new variety, ‘NJS98-23’, resulted from crossing the variety‘Stevens’ (unpatented) as the seed parent, with the variety ‘Ben Lear’(unpatented) as the pollen parent. The original plant of the new varietywas selected from plants growing in cultured test plots planted in 1993in Chatsworth, N.J. ‘NJS98-23’ is a new cranberry variety selected underNew Jersey's stressful conditions, which offers the potential for rapidbed establishment, high yields, early ripening and higher TAcy content.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The ‘NJS98-23’ variety is distinguished from other cranberry varietiesdue to the following unique combination of characteristics:significantly higher yield, higher total anthocyanins, and greaterstolon vigor. ‘NJS98-23’ has been asexually reproduced by cuttings atthe Marucci Center for Blueberry and Cranberry Research and ExtensionCenter, Chatsworth, N.J. since 1992. Over that period, no evidence ofoff-types of ‘NJS98-23’ has been observed or reported to us. Thus, it isconcluded that ‘NJS98-23’ is stable and reproduces true to type insuccessive generations of asexual reproduction.

The following detailed description concerns the variety ‘NJS98-23’. Theoriginal plant and vegetative propagules have been observed growing incultivated areas in Chatsworth and Browns Mills, N.J., and PortageCounty and City Point, Wis. Certain characteristics of this variety,such as growth and color, may change with changing environmentalconditions (e.g., light, temperature, moisture, nutrient availability,or other factors). Color descriptions and other terminology are used inaccordance with their ordinary dictionary descriptions, unless thecontext clearly indicates otherwise. Color designations are made withreference to The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a color photograph of containers containing typicalcranberries from the new variety ‘NJS98-23’ (left) compared to typicalcranberries from the ‘Stevens’ variety (right). All cranberries wereharvested Oct. 4, 2004 from the same cranberry bed in Chatsworth, N.J.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph showing a close up view of a number ofrepresentative cranberries from the new variety ‘NJS98-23’,demonstrating the size, shape and color of fruit. Cranberries harvestedOctober 2005 from City Point, Wis.

FIG. 3 is a color photograph showing a close up view of a bloom on thecalyx end of ‘NJS98-23’ berries.

FIG. 4 is a color photograph showing a bed of ‘NJS98-23’ planted withrooted cuttings in mid June 2005 in City Point, Wis. (A) was taken Jun.28, 2005, and (B) was taken 3 months later, Oct. 4, 2005, and shows theextensive vine growth and coverage of the bed.

The colors of illustrations of this type may vary with lighting andother conditions under which conditions and, therefore, colorcharacteristics of this new variety should be determined with referenceto the observations described herein, rather than from theseillustrations alone.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description of the ‘NJS98-23’ variety is based onobservations of plants growing in the field in Chatsworth, N.J. and CityPoint, Wis. The characteristics of the variety were compared to itsparents, ‘Stevens’ (unpatented) and ‘Ben Lear’ (unpatented), two of themost widely used cranberry varieties. The observed propagules were 3-8years of age.

-   Scientific name: Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait.-   Parentage:    -   -   Seed parent.—the variety ‘Stevens’ (unpatented) (derived            from a McFarlin×Potter cross, both unpatented).        -   Pollen parent.—the variety ‘Ben Lear’ (unpatented) (selected            from the wild in 1900 in Berlin, Wis.).-   Plant:    -   -   Vigor.—In a replicated trial planted Jun. 16, 2003 and            consisting of 80 advanced selections and standard varieties,            ‘NJS98-23’ had the highest percent cover, 45%, on Jun. 21,            2004, compared to ‘Stevens’ with 23% cover and ‘Ben Lear’            with 28% cover. General observations of ‘NJS98-23’ plantings            indicate exceptional plant vigor (FIG. 4).        -   Growth habit.—Trailing shrub with very slender stems.        -   Runner length.—Average runner length was 26.2 cm in a 2-year            old field planting.        -   Upright height.—Average upright height was 10.2 cm at 1.5            years old.        -   Stem diameter.—1.5 mm at base of current year's growth.        -   Internodes.—Average internode length was about 7.5 mm on a            1-year old runner.        -   Productivity.—In established test plots in Chatsworth, N.J.,            ‘NJS98-23’ produced an average of 325 g of berries/sq. ft.            (35 g/dm²) in comparison to ‘Stevens’ yield of 280 g/sq. ft.            (30 g/dm²) (4-year averages, see Table 1). In established            plots in City Point, Wis., ‘NJS98-23’ produced an average of            325 g of berries/sq. ft. (35 g/dm²) in comparison to            ‘Stevens’, 226 g/sq. ft. (24 g/dm²), and ‘Ben Lear’, 289            g/sq. ft. (31 g/dm²) (4-year averages, see Table 2).        -   Hardiness.—Zones 4-7 (from USDA Misc. Publ. 814).        -   Disease resistance.—Susceptibility of ‘NJS98-23’ to            vegetative and root diseases was comparable to that of            ‘Stevens’ (unpatented) and ‘Ben Lear’ (unpatented).-   Leaves: The length, width and other measurements were obtained from    observations of 20 typical fully developed leaves on Nov. 16, 2004    from a 6-yr. old field plot. Color was determined on actively    growing plants.    -   -   Texture.—Coriaceous (leathery).        -   Length.—About 10.3 mm to about 12.8 mm, averaging about 11.5            mm.        -   Width.—About 3.5 mm to about 5.2 mm, averaging about 4.4 mm.        -   Shape.—Elliptic (2.6:1 ratio).        -   Apex shape.—Rounded.        -   Base shape.—Rounded, nearly sessile.        -   Margin.—Entire, slightly revolute.        -   Leaf Color.—Upper leaf surface color ranges from bright            green (RHS 143C, green group) in new growth to deep green in            mature leaves (RHS 139A, green group).        -   Pubescence/—A small number of non-glandular trichomes found            at tip and margins of leaf.-   Flowers:    -   -   Size and shape.—Slender, nodding flowers on erect pedicels            and in clusters of 3-5 flowers, corolla long-conic in bud,            petals divided nearly to the base when open; typical open            flower measuring about 10 mm across.        -   Color.—Unopened bud: deep pink (RHS 68C, red-purple group).            Opened flower: pale pink (RHS 69A & B, red-purple group).        -   Petals.—4 petals per flower; narrow and revolute in shape.        -   Bloom season.—Bloom typically begins in late May and            continues until early July depending on the season.            ‘NJS98-23’ reached 50% bloom on Jun. 24, 2003, Jun. 7, 2004,            and about Jun. 20, 2005; 2-3 days before Stevens each year.        -   Mean number of flowers per upright.—4.2.-   Fruit: Observations are from 30 typical fruit harvested from test    plots in Chatsworth, N.J. and 30 fruit from City Point, Wis. on Oct.    10, 2004.    -   -   Shape.—Elliptic, with rounded to slightly pointed stem end,            and rounded calyx end.        -   Size.—In NJ, 2.1 cm long and 1.7 cm wide; in WI, 2.0 cm long            and 1.6 cm wide.        -   Skin.—shiny, bloom around calyx end, otherwise with little            to no bloom.        -   Color.—ranged from RHS 46A (red group) for the lightest            berries, RHS 53A (red group) for medium berries, to RHS 187A            (greyed-purple group) for the darkest (harvested Oct. 10,            2004, stored at 4° C., evaluated Dec. 22, 2004).        -   Stem pit.—Medium in size and slightly indented.        -   Average weight.—In NJ, 2.2 g; in WI, 2.0 g. Fruit collected            yearly from 1 ft² samples in test plots had an average            weight of 2.3 g in NJ and 1.9 in WI (Tables 1 &2).        -   Number of seeds.—An average of 20 seeds per fruit, similar            to ‘Stevens’ (unpatented) and more than ‘Ben Lear’            (unpatented).        -   Fruit chemistry.—100g samples of fruit were harvested each            year from test plots in Chatsworth, N.J. and City Point,            Wis. and evaluated for fruit chemistry. In Wisconsin, fruit            harvested from ‘NJS98-23’ consistently had double the TAcy            values as ‘Stevens’; and in New Jersey, ‘NJS98-23’ had TAcy            values 50% greater than ‘Stevens’ (Tables 3 & 4). ‘NJS98-23’            had Brix, titratable acidity, and proanthocyanidin values            that were comparable to ‘Stevens’ in Wisconsin and New            Jersey trials.        -   Fruit production.—First picking date in New Jersey was            September 10, and last picking date was October 25. Average            production was 325 g of berries/ft2 (35 g/dm2), equivalent            to 313 barrels/acre (4 yr. mean in both NJ and WI test            plots, Table 1 & 2).        -   Usage.—Processing and fresh fruit.

Disease resistance.—In the Wisconsin trial, ‘NJS98-23’ had 11% fruit rot(mean of October 2001, 2002, and 2005), comparable to ‘Ben Lear’(unpatented), and slightly more than ‘Stevens’ (unpatented). In NewJersey, where disease pressure is greater, ‘NJS98-23’ had an average of20% fruit rot (2001-2004) relative to ‘Stevens’ (unpatented) at 9%.TABLE 1 Yield and fruit weight comparisons from a research trialestablished May 1999 in Chatsworth, NJ. 2001 2002 2003 2004 2001-2004Cultivar Mean 25-Oct mean mean Mean Total yield, g/ft² ‘NJS98-23’ 375224 370 332 325 ‘Stevens’ 210 227 336 348 280 Fruit wt., g/berry‘NJS98-23’ 2.2 2.5 2.4 2.1 2.3 ‘Stevens’ 2.2 2.2 2.3 1.8 2.1

TABLE 2 Yield and fruit weight comparisons from a replicated trialestablished May 1999 in City Point, WI. 4 Oct. 9 Oct. 9 Oct. Mean2002-2005 Cultivar 2002 2003 2004 2005* Mean Total yield, g/ft²‘NJS98-23’ 216 317 442 325 325 ‘Ben Lear’ 189 273 338 356 289 ‘Stevens’106 197 374 229 226 Fruit wt., g/berry ‘NJS98-23’ 1.9 1.9 1.9 1.8 1.9‘Ben Lear’ 2.0 1.6 1.5 1.6 1.7 ‘Stevens’ 1.8 1.8 1.7 1.7 1.8*2005 mean of 3 dates, 19 Sep., 3 Oct., 15 Oct.

TABLE 3 Fruit color comparisons of ‘NJS98-23’ and ‘Stevens’ in2001-2004, in Chatsworth, NJ. Tacy, mg/100 g fruit Oct 10 15 25 15 6 2411 mean Sept. Oct. Oct. Sep. Oct. Sep. Oct. 2001- Cultivar 2001 20012002 2003 2003 2004 2004 2004 ‘NJS98-23’ 32 52 66 23 45 40 47 52‘Stevens’ 5 37 44 4 27 11 24 34

TABLE 4 Comparison of fruit color of ‘NJS98-23’ with ‘Ben Lear’ and‘Stevens’ in 2001-2005, in City Point, WI. TAcy, mg/100 g fruit 19 Oct.4 Oct. 9 Oct. 9 Oct. 3 Oct. 2001-2005 Cultivar 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005Mean ‘NJS98-23’ 51 52 44 67 36 50 ‘BenLear’ 60 40 46 56 32 47 ‘Stevens’26 26 27 35 12 25

1. A new and distinct variety of cranberry plant, substantially asherein shown and described.